We are so far away from the mobile platform wars - Android and iOS have been with us for more than a decade - that most users have chosen their team and stayed with it.

But Google and Apple have borrowed so much over the years that the two mobile operating systems are more alike than ever before. They largely contain the same applications and contain many of the same features.

And even though both platforms combine to offer the same great deals, there are still many differences between Android and iOS. Here's how you can tell the two platforms that they're different and why you might consider moving in the future.

Android vs. iOS customization

Android has always given users more customization options than iOS, although Apple has made big leaps toward the latest version of its system. Android phones will always be able to use sports widgets such as calendars and weather icons, while iPhones will not be able to do so until 2020 with the introduction of iOS 14.

However, Android continues to customize your device by supporting startup applications such as Nova and Evie. It completely changes the look of Android and allows you to squeeze more dock icons, have wallpapers that change over time, or even use the usual swipe and action to scroll through the phone's interface. Android also allows you to set default apps for things like email, web browsing, and navigation, so you can choose which browser you want when you click a link in an email, but Apple has also added it. On your iPhone, open Settings, find your preferred browser or email app, and tap any option that has "default." Choose what you want and iOS will remember it.

Don't want to use Apple's own iOS Messaging app? Bad luck because it can't be replaced. There are already many different messaging apps to choose from on Android, and you can easily configure them for text features from the default app.

From the home screen to the lock screen, from standard apps to apps, Android offers even more convenience. Of course, not everyone wants all of these and extras: Many users are very happy with how Apple has set up its operating system and the native applications you get with it. But it's fair to say that if you want to personalize your phone and play with the interface, Android is the best choice.

Android vs. Privacy IOS

Privacy on Android and iOS is a hotly debated topic: Google and Apple promise to put your best interests at heart, and you will hear arguments from both sides that they are better at privacy. You can make your views known by reading the official privacy policies of Google and Apple.

Apple clearly differs in how much it processes data on your device from the cloud: This means that no one knows about your habits and preferences like Google, because information like the restaurant you visit every week is blocked. on your iPhone, instead of hiding on corporate servers.

Google would say that if you know more about you and where you want to eat each week, you can make your life easier - so restaurants appear at the top of search results, such as Android, when you search the web. This makes it easier for them to deliver more personalized services across devices and applications, but also makes it an easier target for Google ads. On the iOS side, much of the data your device sends to Apple (such as what you're looking for and where you are) is anonymous, so it can't be linked to you in person. Google, on the other hand, is happy to create a bigger profile for you, but the question is whether you trust the company to use your data as responsibly as it promises.

Although Apple also collects information such as the location of your phone (for example, for Find My iPhone) and installed applications (for recommending new applications), in accordance with its privacy policy, it is primarily limited by the data it collects. It also adds security to the applications themselves - cross-site tracking is built into Safari, while Message is tightly encrypted at both ends of the conversation.

Overall, Apple is a win-win if privacy is a priority for you. Some users like to trust Google and are less afraid of advertising in a new place or searching the web, but there is no doubt that Google's entire business model is based on knowing as much as you can about us.

Apple against the Android ecosystem

Choosing between Android and iOS is no longer a choice between one or the other: it's a choice between all the apps, services, and other gadgets you can get from Google and Apple. For example, if you have an Apple TV in your living room, it will work better on an iPhone than on an Android phone.

Many Google applications are web-based, which means you can use them on Android and Windows just as easily on iOS and macOS (some may be due to the less stringent privacy policies we mentioned above). If you exchange a lot between devices and platforms, Google (and Android) may be the best choice.

So if you're investing in the Apple ecosystem, with Macs and iPads at home and in the office, you can do things faster with your iPhone. For example, applications such as Safari and Pages can automatically transfer pages and documents between devices, while cut and paste works on any Apple device with the same Apple ID.

Careful consideration should also be given to other equipment that you have at home or want to purchase in the future. Is your living room set up as an Apple Home Pod mini or a Google Nest hub, for example? Or if you have a Chromecast connected to your TV, remember that it will download video from most Android and iOS apps, but won't play anything you buy from iTunes.

Your close relationship with one of these ecosystems is probably why you can't switch between Android and iOS. But if you're starting or rebooting, you'll need to do everything with Apple and Google mobile operating systems.

Fragmentation and why it is important

If Google wins when it comes to making its applications and services available across multiple devices, Apple is definitely ahead in terms of segmentation - it's easier for iPhones to get the latest updates than for devices. on Android, which means you're more capable. run the latest software on your smartphone.

This is important for all possible reasons - from protection against new security threats to getting the latest and greatest features on your phone. At the time of writing, more than 72 percent of devices are on iOS 15, while—as of November 2021—Android 11 (the next-to-last version) was only running on a quarter of all compatible devices worldwide. 

Google has tried to minimize the damage done by allowing some system updates, including a lot of security patches, to roll out separately as part of Google Play Services. What’s more, unlike Apple, Google updates its apps (like Gmail and Google Maps) separately from the operating system as a whole. 

When it comes to getting the very latest headline features though—like the digital wellbeing tools included in both iOS 15 and Android 12—you’re going to be better off if you’re using iOS. Apple also has a strong record for supporting older devices with the latest software updates too. 

Part of the issue is the large number of manufacturers out there making Android phones. Samsung, OnePlus, LG, Asus, Huawei, and others give users a wider range of options when it comes to price and design, but they all want to put their own spin on the operating system  before pushing out software updates. 

Google Pixel users, however, don’t have this problem, and if you go for one of these handsets, you can minimize the fragmentation problem, as they get new versions of Android as soon as they appear. Overall though, a win for Apple.